5 on Friday

Man -- It's been a while since I've posted anything. Life and a baby got in the way and I'm okay with it! Just some randoms on this Friday . . . 

1. Today I'm taking a vacation day. I originally had this day off because we were suppose to close on our new house this past Monday and I was going to use today as a paint and projects day. Unfortunately we didn't close again ... going on a 100 day process, so I'll be spending the day with my boys running errands and watching lots of basketball. 

2. Speaking of my boys ... Kingston has been hanging out with CT all week and they have been having quiet the adventures. Falling off couches, cutting teeth, park surfing and playing the drums on pots and pans. 

They are a mess! I can't imagine the type of stuff these two are going to get into together this summer. 

3. I have a list a mile long of all the projects I want to do to the new house when the time comes. Paint walls, doors, and furniture (cream,grey,green,navy = we are totally a cool color family), sliding barn door for laundry room, stain concrete flooring in the basement etc. My list of things I want to buy for it is about 2 miles long - but I feel like I need to wait until we have paint on the walls and everything we already have in it's place to see what we are missing. Many more house posts to come once we finally get the keys. 

4. I really wish Iowa State wouldn't have lost yesterday because they totally busted my bracket. Scratch that, I guess I'm a tad bit okay with them losing because they beat KU last weekend and some of their awful fans yelled at my baby. 

5. Have you guys ever heard on a journaling bible? Look on pinterest or instagram under the hash tag #illustratedfaith. Such a fun and creative way to worship The Lord. 

Doodling in my bible! 

Linking up with these lovely ladies today: Linking up with: The Farmers Wife, Lauren Elizabeth, A Little Bit of Everything, XOXO Rebecca, A Blonde Ambition

Update

Things have been crazy around these parts lately: 

We have been looking into purchasing/building a home. We've been pre-approved and have a budget and the last few days we have been out looking at homes. Our expectations might be a little high because I've realized we are super picky. We have champagne taste on a beer budget and we are wondering if building would be the best for us. On average it takes 6 months to build and since we are in no real rush to move out of our apartment that we pay $350 a month at - we might just look into that a little more. 

I've also been soaking up as any snuggles as I can get from my little man. I start back to work on Monday so I'm working on wrapping my mind around it. I'm trying to stay positive and keep busy so it doesn't really sink in. Come Monday I'm sure I'll be a blubbering mess. 

CT also has take off some extra time this week - so it's been nice having him around. 

Monday I had a 'girls' afternoon with my friend Jenna and we did a little shopping and got our toes done. I've realized I don't really crave time away from my little man but it was nice to have 3 hours to just do whatever. I still thought about him and talked about him as much as I would have if he was with me. What can I say - the kid consumes me and I'm okay with it! 

Winter has officially arrived and I'm not too thrilled about it. I'm thankful that we've been able to make it through football season without the need for blankets, earmuffs and hot chocolate but I'm sure we will be needing them this weekend at their last game. I heard it's even supposed to snow on Saturday. Joy! 

Back to regular scheduled posts soon.

Promise!

5 On Friday

TGIF! 

Can I get an ayyyyyy-men! 

Here are 5 randoms for this Friday. 

1. Today officially makes us 10 days out from our due date. I can't believe it's almost time for CT and me to meet Kingston. We are so ready for him to join us. Our house is ready (I think), his clothes are washed, car seats are in the cars, and our bags are packed ... now we are just waiting on him. Some moments throughout the day I feel like I could be pregnant for a few more months - and then I'm quickly brought back to reality with the various pains I'm feeling. Hurry up already little man!

2. I added a few more Puff Quilts to the Etsy shop last night! I am so thankful for the ladies who have purchased from me these last few weeks. I hope this little venture continues to take off - and hopefully we won't be struggling as much as I think we will while I'm on maternity leave. 

3. Speaking of maternity leave - I'm officially on break starting next Wednesday. 

I'm already dreading heading back and I haven't even left. For all you mama's that went back to work -- what helped with the sadness? 

4. I'm about half way through the book Baby Wise. If you haven't read it, it talks about parent directed feeding and how to get your child to sleep through the night by 8 weeks. This is a very controversial topic but I think it's a great idea. My friend sent me a quote today that perfectly describes the process: 

" As parents, we teach our kids how to be good humans. We teach them how to say please and thank you, how to drink from a cup, how to get dressed, and how to tie their shoes. No one would argue with this. Why then, do we shy away from teaching them how to sleep and eat at normal times? It's not cruel, it's a service to them. A gift even. And I'm a much happier momma and productive person when I've had sleep as well" 

I would love any feedback or tips you have on this process! 

5. Bentley has been extra cuddly lately and I love it. In a few more days his world is going to be turned upside down and I hope he takes to Kingston like we do. He's usually jealous if anyone has our attention so I'm interested to see how this all pans out. 

Can you tell my mind is 100% on baby? 

Hope you have a good Friday and if you are stopping by from the link up - I hope you will follow along as I try and navigate this new journey of motherhood! 

Pregnancy/Parenting = Scary

For as long as I can remember, I have always longed to be a mother. More specifically a stay at home wife and mother. I'm great at working and I'm really good at my job, but ultimately I want to be the best at running my home and a family. Danielle at Butler Party of 3 wrote an awesome post about this the other day and after reading all the comments posted - it makes my heart happy to know that so many other women feel the same way. 

 As soon as I found out that I was pregnant things got really scary. For first time moms, you have not a clue of what to expect or what is normal. With every feeling and every symptom you are turning to google to see if it's 'normal'. After waiting so long and having prayed so hard for this blessing, the last thing you want is to lose it.  What I've learned is that the unknown is super scary and we shouldn't turn to google but to prayer.  

As the weeks pass by and the first trimester slips away, things get a little less scary. This is when you start thinking about all aspirations and goals you want to have as a mother: solely breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food - you know all the things the 'supermoms' do. 

The more I think about it, this is a whole different type of scary! There are so many options and these are such big decisions. That's the good and bad thing about parenting - you have so many choices - too many choices. I feel like all my time should be spent researching .. but even then how do you know your child is going to like what you choose? 

Those fears are during pregnancy ... then comes parenting. Teaching and shaping your child so they are successful in life... oh em gee. Then I can't even imagine how scary it'll be when your child starts driving. 

Basically I've come to the conclusion that I will be living the next 20 years of my life in fear. I never thought this would be the top emotion I'd have as a soon to be mother. 
 How do you cope? 

All day I dream about . . .

Candy CRUSH! 

Do any of ya'll play this?? 

I started just a few weeks ago, and I'm hooked.

So hooked that every time I close my eyes I'm seeing patterns of candy to crush. 

If i'm kissing CT, I see patterns. 

If I'm laying down to take a nap, I see patterns. 

If I'm in the shower signing, I see patterns. 

When I start to pray, I see patterns. 

Mostly, I'm always trying to find ways to create the 'chocolate donuts covered in sprinkles' because ultimately they are what helps you pass the levels. 

It's a sickness. 

I think the creators of this game put subliminal messages in it to get everyone hooked, because I can't seem to quit.

I just got a notification that all my lives have been restored, so that only means one thing: time to crush some candy!

Do any of you have this same problem? 

The Liebster Award

A few days ago I was nominated for the Liebster Award for newbie bloggers that have less then 200 followers. It's a fun way to connect with bloggers who are in the same beginning stages as your are. 

I was nominated by Tennsley at New Mom Diaries.

So what is the Liebster Award?

It is an award given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers.

The rules of the award are:

1. Link back to the blog that nominated you.

2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

3. Answer the questions posted by the nominator. 

4. Share 11 random facts about yourself. 

5. Create 11 questions for my nominees.

6. Contact your nominees and let them know they have been nominated. 

 Lets begin . . . 

11 Questions from Tennsley:

1. What is your fave food?
   My moms meatloaf
   
   2. Sweet or Savory?
   Savory
   
   3. Winter or Summer?
   Summer
   
   4. All time favorite movie?
   Love & Basketball - "double of nothing"
   
   5. Fave holiday?
   4th of July
   
   6. What’s your favorite thing about blogging?
   I love being able to share my ideas/crafts with the world wide web, while always getting new ideas from all you other amazing bloggers. 
   
   7. What do you want to be when you grow up? ;-)
   A stay at home wife and mother. I know I would be FAB at it!
   
   8. What’s your summertime jam right now?  What song got you bobbing your head?
   Pink - Just Give Me A Reason
   {you should hear me singing this in the shower or car. YIKES!}
   
   Chocolate chip or Sugar?
   Chocolate Chip
   
   Pants or dresses?
   Dresses
   
   The mountains or the beach?
   Most def, the beach!

11 random facts about myself

1. My favorite veggie is turnips.

 2. Oldest of three girls.

 3. I am deathly afraid of tornadoes but I love thunderstorms. 

Check out this post for how I am pro-active and a little crazy in my preparation for them.   

4. I have a boy middle name = Ross. 

I use to hate it but now I love it and think it's the coolest thing ever.

5. I played college volleyball as a defensive specialist.

6. I am the worlds worst speller. 

Thank heavens for the squiggle lines underneath misspelled words.

7. I have two tattoos - one on the inside of my ankle of a tribal wolf {my maiden name} and a heart on the inside of my ring finger <3

8.  I want four children.

Ideally, two boys and two girls. If I could pick, boy girl boy girl.

9. I have a 'special toe' as CT calls it. 

My second toe most of the time curls slightly under. 

10. I am a shoe-a-holic with way too many to count.

 Tennies, sandals, heals, flip flops, flats - I don't discriminate.  

11. I name most all my beloved possessions. 

Michael = my Michael Kohrs bag

Piper = my first car - burgundy Mitsubishi eclipse 

Willow = my current car - white dodge charger

11 questions for my nominees

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

2. Favorite quote?

3. Chewy candy or a candy you have to suck on?

4. Favorite part of your home?

5. If you planted a garden, what would you grow?

6. What is your zodiac sign & does it match your personality? 

7. What are your favorite baby names?

 8. If you could only have 3 things on an island with you what would they be?

9. Number one thing on your bucket list?

10. What is your guilty pleasure?

11. Who's your fave - Kim, Kourtney, or Khloe Kardashian?

The Blogs I nominate are . . .        

Love & Living

Mess in the Making

Life Told By Lauren 

Lolloped 

Enquire W/ Elle 

 

 

For the LOVE of Chevron!

I can thank Pinterest for my new found LOVE and awareness of chevron stripes. Everywhere I turn, I am finding more and more of it. From clothes to home decor, it's safe to say it's one of the hottest trends going on right now. Below are some of my favorite uses of the pattern. 

via

 Wishing I had some washi tape to make some beautiful cards. 

 via

Handmade ombre chevron wall hangings. So pretty! 

 via

Chevron on chevron! Loving the back of the chair also.

via

I want these so bad! I don't have a business or need for them, but they are beyond amazing.

Hopefully once we move out of our apartment (which doesn't seem to be happening any time soon), I can start incorporating more chevron into our home. What are your favorite uses of the pattern?

Time Fly's

24 hours are not enough. How are you suppose to get ready, cook, clean, work out, read, pray, sleep, as well as get all the other random things on the to-do list done in 24 hours? I could not even imagine adding to that list caring completely for another life. There are not enough hours in a day to get everything done.

I read somewhere that "time is at once the most valuable and most perishable of all our possessions", so use it wisely. 

I guess this would be when planning and prioritizing needs to come in to play. Luckily, I'm extremely organized and I love making lists, but it's time for me to search for a new planner. What do all you ladies use? I have heard good things about Lily Pultizer planners ($15-$25) as well as Erin Condren planners ($50). I just don't know if I can justify spending $50 on a planner that I will use for 6 months. Maybe these planners will meet all my needs that I won't have a want to change them out as often. 

What planner do you use and how do you deal with not enough hours in a day? I just don't know if I'm ready yet to give up an extra hour or two of sleep in order to get a few more things done. This girl needs her beauty sleep! Being a grouch is not a good look on me. =)